What Rahul, Kharge said is true: Shivakumar ahead of Opposition talks on EC row

Opposition parties have sought answers from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a report in The Indian Express said the other two Election Commissioners had repeatedly objected to decisions involving electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

In Short

• Shivakumar backs Rahul Gandhi and Kharge's criticism of poll body
• Opposition seeks clarity on Election Commissioners' disagreements
• Shivakumar assures no force in Bidadi land acquisition protests

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday he would travel to Delhi to discuss the row over Election Commission decisions with Congress leaders before joining an INDIA bloc meeting on the Opposition’s next steps.

“What Rahul Gandhi and Kharge Sahib said earlier has now turned out to be true. The entire country has now become aware of this. It is becoming evident that the elections were conducted in a highly irregular manner,” Shivakumar told reporters.

Opposition parties have sought answers from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a report in The Indian Express said the other two Election Commissioners had repeatedly objected to decisions involving electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The Election Commission has said differences of opinion are a normal part of its deliberations and that all three members approved its final decisions unanimously.

SHIVAKUMAR RESPONDS TO BIDADI PROTEST

Shivakumar also addressed protests against land acquisition for the proposed Bidadi township near Bengaluru. He said farmers would not be forced to sell their land.

“I am not putting pressure on anyone. I don’t need to,” he said. Those who wanted to sell could do so, while those who did not could refuse, he added. “There is no emergency for me, nor is there any issue of prestige.”

He urged protesters to stop blocking roads, saying the disruption was causing inconvenience to the public.

His remarks followed a confrontation on Friday, when police cleared a blockade on the Bidadi–Harohalli road and detained several farmers, including women. The protesters oppose the acquisition of land for the township.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy met the farmers on Saturday and demanded action against police personnel accused of mistreating them. Shivakumar said his government was continuing work on a project begun under Kumaraswamy.

The Karnataka government has formed a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to review concerns about the project.

- Ends